Coordinators:
Maria Angelo and Giovanni Scianna
Telephone: +39 091 2192679
Fax: +39 091 2192417
Monday to Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.
Lung Transplant Program
The lung transplant program was launched in June 2005 and is currently the only active program of its kind in Southern Italy. Since its inception, more than 250 lung transplants have been performed, confirming IRCCS ISMETT as a leading referral center for the treatment of diseases that result in end-stage respiratory failure. Lung transplants are the result of a synergy between specialists in surgery, pulmonology, anesthesiology, and infectious diseases.
A major milestone was achieved in 2007 with the world’s first lung transplant performed in an HIV-positive patient. This achievement further strengthened IRCCS ISMETT’s role as a referral center for the treatment of conditions leading to end-stage respiratory failure. Collaboration with specialized centers treating major obstructive lung diseases, such as emphysema and COPD, and restrictive lung diseases, such as pulmonary fibrosis, has been instrumental in this progress.
Close collaboration with cystic fibrosis care centers ensures improved access to lung transplants for patients affected by this condition.
The program also has extensive experience in the use of extra-corporeal respiratory support (ECMO), organ preservation techniques, including ex vivo perfusion, and partial-lobar lung transplantation.
All respiratory failure patients can be evaluated for a lung transplant after an initial consult with IRCCS ISMETT thoracic surgeons and pulmonologists, ensuring comprehensive and personalized management of their care.
